Tuition & Fees
Cost of Attendance
An affordable private college education is possible. Together, we can build a future worthy of your dreams.
Ranked a Best Value School among regional universities in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report, BVU is committed to keeping college tuition affordable.
College is a life-changing investment, and Buena Vista University is committed to keeping college tuition affordable. That’s why 100 percent of our students who apply for financial aid receive it.
Storm Lake Campus
2025-2026
- Tuition & Fees: Living on Campus
Full-time tuition | $43,052 |
| $21,526 per semester |
Food and housing | $11,400 |
| $5,546 housing, $5,854 food |
Total | $54,452 |
In addition, we add $4,578 to the estimated total cost of attendance when determining dependent financial need to cover expenses such as books, entertainment, travel expenses, etc. for a residential student as follows:
Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment | $2,018 |
Transportation | $1,876 |
Misc. | $616 |
Loan Fee | $68 |
This creates a total cost of attendance, used for financial need determination, for current residential students of $59,030. Your actual cost of attendance will be based on residence and meal plan options.
Residence Options
- Additional charge for suites: $125/semester
- Non-suite medium single additional charge: $574/year
- Non-suite super single additional charge: $976/year
- Suite single additional charge: $1,090/year
Meal Plan Options
- 14 meal food plan: $5,854 with $175/semester Beaverbucks (Required for first-year students)
- 12 meal food plan; $5,302 with $175/semester Beaverbucks
- 10 meal food plan: $5,000 with $30/semester Beaverbucks
- Tuition & Fees: Living With a Parent
Full-time tuition | $43,052 |
| $21,526 per semester |
Living allowance | $6,498 |
Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment | $2,018 |
Transportation | $1,005 |
Misc. | $616 |
Loan Fee | $68 |
Total | $53,257 |
- Tuition & Fees: Commuting, Not Living With a Parent
Full-time tuition | $43,052 |
| $21,526 per semester |
Living allowance | $16,181 |
Books, course materials, supplies, equipment | $2,018 |
Transportation | $1,999 |
Misc. | $616 |
Loan Fee | $68 |
Total | $63,934 |
Storm Lake Campus
2024-2025
- Tuition & Fees: Living on Campus
On campus living in a standard residence and Marquis meal plan
Full-time tuition | $41,798 |
| $20,899 per semester |
Food and housing | $11,330 |
| $5,476 room, $5,854 Marquis meal plan See additional food and housing options below |
Total | $53,128 |
The part-time per credit hour rate is $1,406 for Storm Lake students.
In addition, we add $4,246 to the estimated total cost of attendance when determining dependent financial need to cover expenses such as books, entertainment, travel expenses, etc. for a residential student as follows:
Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment | $2,089 |
Transportation | $1,834 |
Misc. | $602 |
Loan Fee | $68 |
This creates a total cost of attendance, used for financial need determination, for current residential students of $57,721. Your actual cost of attendance will be based on residence and meal plan options.
Residence Options
- Additional charge for suites: $125/semester
- Non-suite medium single additional charge: $574/year
- Non-suite super single additional charge: $976/year
- Suite single additional charge: $1,090/year
Meal Plan Options
- 14 meal food plan: $5,854 with $175/semester Beaverbucks (Required for first-year students)
- 12 meal food plan; $5,302 with $175/semester Beaverbucks
- 10 meal food plan: $5,000 with $30/semester Beaverbucks
- Tuition & Fees: Living With a Parent
Full-time tuition | $41,798 |
| $20,899 per semester |
Living allowance | $5,961 |
Books, course materials, supplies, equipment | $2,089 |
Transportation | $982 |
Misc. | $602 |
Loan Fee | $68 |
Total | $51,500 |
- Tuition & Fees: Commuting, Not Living With a Parent
Full-time tuition | $41,798 |
| $20,899 per semester |
Living allowance | $15,133 |
Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment | $2,089 |
Transportation | $1,945 |
Misc. | $602 |
Loan Fee | $68 |
Total | $61,635 |
Average Aid for New Undergraduate Students on Our Storm Lake Campus

All Financial Aid
$38,000

Scholarships and Grants only
$30,000
BVU Online
2024-2025
Tuition rate: $475 per credit hour
In addition to the tuition charge, we also include an allowance for living expenses (including travel) and books in a student's expected cost of attendance. All undergraduate students will be assessed a one-time $90 graduation fee for their final semester.
- Full-Time Student: Living with a Parent
Full time student living with a parent | Tuition | $17,100 |
| 36 credits taken terms 1-6 | |
| Books | $1,764 |
| Food | $2,376 |
| Transportation | $1,614 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $5,133 |
| Computer Allowance | $600 |
| Loan Fee | $71 |
| Total | $28,658 |
- Full-Time Student: Not Living with a Parent
Full time student not living with a parent | Tuition | $17,100 |
| 36 credits taken terms 1-6 | |
| Books | $1,764 |
| Housing & Food | $12,732 |
| Transportation | $2,595 |
| Misc. Personal Expenses | $8,127 |
| Computer Allowance | $600 |
| Loan Fee | $71 |
| Total | $42,989 |
Graduate Programs Financial Aid
Alongside personal financial planning, our financial assistance program is designed to make it possible for all students to attend BVU.
Graduate Programs
2024-2025
- Tuition Cost Breakdown (per credit hour)
Master of Education-Teacher Leadership, Curriculum, and Instruction | $300 |
Master of Education in Special Education | $300 |
Master of Education in Educational Administration | $495 |
Master of Arts in Teaching-Secondary Education | $495 |
Master of Arts in Teaching-Special Education | $495 |
Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership | $565 |
Master of Science in Education Professional School Counseling | $565 |
Master of Science in Education Clinical Mental Health Counseling | $592 |
- Graduate Fees 2024-2025
Graduation Fee | $140 |
Background Check | $40 |
Student Teaching Fee for 12 hours of student teaching | $436 |
Clinical Site Supervision Fee – Professional School Counseling | $139 |
Residency Fee (each residency) Professional School & Clinical Mental Health Counseling | $100 each residency |
Assessment Portfolio Fee – Clinical Mental Health (one time only) | $215 |
Software fee – Clinical Mental Health Counseling | $299 |
CPCE Exam Fee (Term 6, year 2, one time only) – Clinical Mental Health Counseling | $150 |
Books (estimated at $49/credit hours, 3 credits per term) | $882 |
Loan Fee | $133 |
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Application Fee *This is a non-refundable deposit required to hold your seat at acceptance. It applies to tuition and fees upon starting the program. | $250 |
Indirect Costs for Graduate Students 2024-2025
In addition to the amounts listed above, housing, food, transportation, miscellaneous personal expenses, and computer allowance are estimated at $24,180 for a student living independently off-campus and $15,266 for a student living with a parent. These amounts are built into your cost of attendance budget but are not expenses you will pay to BVU.